CrossFit Pittsfield Expands into New Space
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — CrossFit Pittsfield has expanded to a new home to meet the fitness needs of its customers.
The fitness center recently moved from East Street to 113 West St. The space was purchased by owners and partners Erica and Jamie Law along with Erica's mother, Susan Rathbun.
The new location opened about a month ago and the Laws say they have been loving having their own space and the higher ceilings. They said the former location was great but it was time to move on.
"They were great for us for a long time, but it is the complete opposite. So we would look forward to the sunrise over there. We now look forward to sunsets. We had low ceilings, these have tall ceilings," said Jamie. "We had like one window, whereas we have an abundance of natural light, because of that one window we didn't have much fresh air, we have an abundance of fresh air."
They were formerly in the lower half of the building at 505 East St., right under Ayelada. The new space allows them to be louder without disturbing anyone upstairs. They are now also able to hold bigger classes outside to enjoy the sun and add more equipment.
The location is also easier for people to find as before it was hard to know where they were and it lacked visibility for potential customers.
They signed the paperwork on the building in January, with construction starting in March. They had to renovate the whole space including plumbing, electrical, and heating, along with the doors on the side of the building.
The two went to school for exercise science and previously trained at the CrossFit in Great Barrington before starting their own fitness center 13 years ago. CrossFit is a branded daily workout developed in 2000 that combines weightlifting, cardio and gymnastics
Erica said she does not want anyone to think CrossFit is scary. Clients are in a personal training group environment where they can go at they own pace with a diverse group of people at various levels.
"One of our guys that comes almost every, he comes Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, he's 80 years old, he's in a class with people that are 15 years old," she said. "We're all here doing the same thing, just what worked for you that day.
"I think that's the most important thing that we have that I don't think that anybody else has, you're never going to have a group of people that are as diverse age-wise, athletic wise, anything, and anything background-wise that we have. Just everybody's here to get a little sweaty, have a good hour, and get out."
During the hour workout, the trainer has a schedule on the board of what the group will be doing that day, a goal everyone can try to hit at their own pace and depending on what they are feeling.
The two hope to expand their classes whether for mobility classes or Hyrox, a fitness competition.
"Add classes that are other than CrossFit classes, just kind of expand all fitness stuff, all kind of the same idea that we're doing, just kind of more inviting for I think people that might be a little bit nervous about CrossFit," she said.
Their gym has around 100 members with 60 to 80 people coming to them every day. They have six coaches and if anyone would like to inquire about coaching they can email them. They currently offer group training as well as private training. They are open seven days a week with six adult classes a day.
Those unsure can try a free class on a Saturday morning at 7:30 or 9 to see how it feels.
"Saturdays come try a class. Anybody or any fitness level, you've never done it. If you've done it a million times, it doesn't matter. Saturday is a great day," Erica said.
They hope to give their members a great hour away from stress and to give them a good workout making them feel better than when they came no matter how much of the workout they were able to do.
They plan to also keep up with their goal on keeping people happy and healthy.
"That is our goal, is to make our community fitter," Jamie said, "We are doing it!" said Erica.
Tags: fitness center, training,
